Flight instructor group hosting first-ever national summit this fall

The National Association of Flight Instructors has announced it will convene its first flight instruction safety and business summit on Oct. 24-26 in Lakeland, Florida. The summit will take place on the SUN ‘n FUN campus at Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL). The event is for current and prospective Certified Flight Instructors, aviation leaders, industry advocates, government representatives and news media. "The NAFI Summit will bring stakeholders in the flight instruction community together to share CFI tips, techniques and best practices, relevant business skills, and networking opportunities," NAFI President Paul Preidecker said. "We will focus on the important topics of professionalism, proficiency and pilot well-being along with changes to FAA regulations and rules." "Additionally, the NAFI Summit will present information designed to improve the industry's pass rates for initial pilot examinations," Preidecker said. Keynote speakers at the summit will address the role of flight instructors and emphasize the continued improvement in safety and customer service. Over the next few months, NAFI will give updates as registration and hotel arrangements are made. The summit will also include flight instruction presentations and NAFI is currently accepting presentation abstracts for the summit. Submissions should be 200-250 words and relate to managing your own flight business, tips to improve your skills as an instructor, a look at accident data from instructional flights to see what went wrong, maintaining health and well-being, creating a path for success for students and effectively using new technology. The submission deadline is June 1.RELATED STORY:Flight Instructor Hall of Fame 2023 nominations open The organization was founded in 1967 and in 2021, NAFI developed a new plan of action for the future. NAFI refined its vision and mission statements and created four operational pillars to capture its goals. The group recognizes flight instructors as an integral part of the aviation community and focuses on the needs of its members. The inaugural summit will be dedicated to professionalism in aviation education and training.